Jesse Bromwich believes Melbourne’s march to Sunday’s NRL grand final positions the side among the storied club’s greatest teams.
And he’s credited matured No.6 Cameron Munster for getting them there, saying the newest member of the Storm’s leadership group was key to squeezing the most out of their latest line of stars.
Prop Bromwich debuted in 2010 and will look to add a third NRL title to his collection when the Storm cap a season like no other against Penrith at ANZ Stadium.
Based on the Sunshine Coast since June 28, father of three Bromwich says Melbourne’s relentless drive to a fourth grand final in the past five season deserves recognition.
“Definitely this has to be one of the great Melbourne teams,” he told AAP
“Just to make the grand final, in a really tough situation with a lot of young guys is an incredible effort.”
Bromwich said the rise of Munster the leader had helped fill the void left by Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk and tap into their latest finds.
“It was the right timing for Munster to join our group, the way he’s been, the way he’s grown warranted that and everyone can see that too,” Bromwich said.
“It’s a different set of eyes for us, which is a different way to look at some problems and we (other members of the leadership group) all have families and are a bit older, so he knows the younger guys a bit better too.”
Munster was the first man to be sin-binned twice in a grand final the last time the Melbourne reached the decider in 2018 and is set on redemption this weekend.
“The next thing I’d really like to do is play well this Sunday and show everyone I can play well on the big stage again,” Munster said.
“I wouldn’t mind having the Clivey (Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground) on my shoulders … I’m not being selfish, I just want to play the best for my team on Sunday.”
A list of retiring players is due to be unfurled by the NRL on Sunday, with hooker Cameron Smith a possible inclusion as he continues to weigh up his future.
“It would great to win not for me but for everyone in Melbourne and for Cameron Smith, if he decides to hang the boots up – what a great way to send out a champion,” Munster said.
Quiet in the decisive win over Canberra last Friday, Munster played second fiddle to halves partner Jahrome Hughes as the halfback orchestrated the carnage.
But as Munster contends with a niggling knee injury he knows he’ll have to pull his weight in what will be a titanic halves battle against in-form Penrith duo Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
“(I need to) get in the game a lot earlier, run the ball more,” Munster said.
“Be aggressive with the ball, when I do run the ball hard and aggressive I’m very hard to handle.
“Knowing when I do run the ball, things happen for me; it’s just (a matter of) getting my hands on the ball and just controlling the game.”